Real-Time Refractivity Retrieval using the Magnetron-based CASA X-band Radar Network During the Spring 2008 Campaign

A real-time refractivity retrieval platform for the CASA IP-1 [1] testbed is currently being developed at the University of Oklahoma. From our previous efforts in the 2007-2008 KTLX/KFDR refractivity experiment [2], a software module to produce refractivity products has been developed and is ported over to the IP-1 testbed this year. One of the challenges for refractivity using the IP-1 radars is the use of X-band systems, which results in more rapid phase wrapping across ranges. In this work, a theoretical explanation will be presented to show that X-band is not a limiting factor to refractivity retrieval. Another significant challenge is the use of magnetron-based transmitter, which changes the effective wavelength being applied for measuring the propagation phase. This question remains open but it will be shown that through the use of differential refractivity technique, scan-to-scan refractivity can still be useful in practice.